Mindful Nutrition
Schedule of Events (Sample)
Friday
Arrival by 5:00pm
5:00-5:30pm Registration, check-in, settle into rooms
5:30 Welcome/Introductions/Vespers
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Session 1 -”Spiritual Practice of Eating”
8:00 Compline-Spiritual practice
9:00 beginning of Great Silence
Saturday
8:00am Morning meditation/prayer/exercise (Lauds, Centering Prayer)
8:30 Mindful breakfast
9:30 Session 2: “Understanding Sources: the Cycle of Life”
10:30 Silent reflection (Ignation Examen, Centering Prayer, Sitting or walking meditation)
11:15 Meal preparation practice
12:00pm Lunch, free time with options offered
1:30 Session 3: “Beyond Diet: Conscious and Intuitive Eating”
3:00 Break, Yoga
4:15 Continue Break, Yoga, or Community Dialogue
4:30 Meal preparation practice
5:30 Vespers-spiritual practice
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Session 4: “Health benefits of Specific Foods, Supplements”
8:00 Silent reflection (Ignation Examen, etal.)
8:45 Community Dialogue (Lectio Divinia)
9:00 Compline-spiritual practice
10:00 beginning of Great Silence
–Holistic Medical Evaluations to be done throughout the day
Sunday
8:00am Morning meditation/prayer/exercise (Lauds)
8:30 Mindful Breakfast
9:30 Session 5: “From Philosophy to Sacred Habit: How to do it” followed by Question and Answer session
10:30 Silent reflection
11:15 Closing Prayers, Gathering
12:00 Mindless Lunch
Departure after 1:00pm
Note: This is a sample schedule: Event times and lecture titles subject to change.
Activities: Yoga, Hiking, Games (during Break), Meal Preparation, Eating, Assimilation, Elimination
Rhythm: Monastic- Lauds, Vespers, Compline, Ignation Examen, Lectio Divinia, Great Silence
Wisdom: Ancient and modern scientific teachings plus experience
Personal Care: Lifestyle Evaluations
What to bring: personal toiletries, warm jacket, rain gear, gloves, hat, hiking attire, yoga clothes, casual, loose fitting clothes
Recommended reading: Beginning Mindfulness: Learning the Way of Awareness by Andrew Weiss, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, Conscious Eating guided meditation CD (from Body and Soul Magazine), Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Westin Price, “The Body and the Earth” in Recollected Essays by Wendell Berry, The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, The Essential Agrarian Reader by Norman Wirzba
Glossary:
Contemplative Practices on the retreat:
Ignatian Examen-Ignatius of Loyola created the Examen in the 16th century as a way of offering the monks of his order a daily practice for reflection upon God’s presence and absence in their lives. This prayer involves asking oneself a series of questions with ample time for silence and listening in between.
Lectio Divina-Known as ‘sacred reading’ this prayer practice involves a four-fold reading and listening to scripture. In the silence between each reading practitioners listen for God’s Word to them out of the words of the sacred text. The prayer ends with a deepening time of contemplation.
Centering Prayer-A contemplative prayer taught by Thomas Keating, centering prayer is a contemplative practice that involves sitting for a designated period of time (usually 20 minutes) in silence. One word, such as peace, love, or hope, is used to center the person when the mind drifts.
Anusara-inspired yoga-Anusara means “to flow with grace” in the ancient Sanskrit language, and it describes a style of open-hearted yoga pioneered by John Friend. Anusara yoga utilizes sound biodynamic and anatomic principles combined with a spiritual focus for a yogic practice that is safe and transformative of mind, body, and spirit.
Lauds-prayer service that greets the daybreak
Vespers-prayer service which honors the shifting of day into night just before sunset
Compline-prayer service which allows time for reflection before committing oneself to the divine care in sleep
Most of the practices of Sacred Habit are rooted in Christian tradition. We welcome people of all backgrounds to participate with us in the ancient wisdom of this liturgy.